JSmith Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 So some years back Audioholics did an interesting piece on this subject; http://www.audioholics.com/audio-video-cables/power-cables It is possible, under some circumstances, to cause a system to behave sub-optimally by using a poorly-designed power cable, but the main consideration at work here is simply wire gauge, and in such a circumstance all one really needs to do is increase the gauge of the cable. I am posting this as a start to an amicable discussion... I don't necessarily agree with everything in the posted article and I believe the above could be a little simplistic. I'd like to see discussion on reasons and evidence as to how a power cable can affect a system sometimes and what that cable needs to be able to do to achieve this or whether it is also related to specific types of power supplies, shielding etc. JSmith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soundwise Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 So is it correct to assume that you are saying some aftermarket power cables do make a difference good or bad when compared with a standard $5 power cord? I think this needs to be clear before a discussion can take place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted February 23, 2017 Volunteer Share Posted February 23, 2017 Surely this needs to be in the great debate section Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Marc Posted February 23, 2017 Administrator Share Posted February 23, 2017 44 minutes ago, Sir Sanders Zingmore said: Surely this needs to be in the great debate section I'm sure it will end up there as practically any discussion on cables does. For now though, it's sub-forum relevant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewantsmoore Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 54 minutes ago, Soundwise said: So is it correct to assume that you are saying some aftermarket power cables do They way I heard it, he asked a question(s) Why could a power cable cause a difference? What would the power cable have to be like, to cause such a difference (to be significant)? Is this related to specific situations or does it apply generally to audio electronics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted February 23, 2017 Volunteer Share Posted February 23, 2017 15 minutes ago, Marc said: I'm sure it will end up there as practically any discussion on cables does. For now though, it's sub-forum relevant. Just anticipating the inevitable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSmith Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share Posted February 23, 2017 1 hour ago, Soundwise said: standard $5 power cord Nothing to do with the cost whatsoever... we're talking why, how, when and under what conditions this may occur. JSmith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorkinClassAudio Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Your ears are the best scientific instruments. If you can't hear an improvement, then the bottleneck in your system is somewhere else. If you have a modest system, don't spend big on power cords. If you don't hear any improvement then you can save some money and just enjoy your system as is. If you do obtain an improvement with a power cable, enjoy it and don't let anyone tell you it does not exist. Truth in audio is what you perceive. No debate, really. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSmith Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share Posted February 23, 2017 2 minutes ago, generichs said: Truth in audio is what you perceive. I'm after a proper result where perception errors, placebo etc. are removed from the equation. Is anyone interested in really cracking this issue? JSmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhakPak Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 No interest from me, other than reading about the findings of any comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tesla13BMW Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Perhaps if the technically inclined could spell out what a power cable actually does would be a good first step. What is occurring in the phase wire and any difference to what is occurring in the neutral wire. Is there less energy in the neutral given the item being powered has converted energy to heat, sound, mechanical energy. If there is less energy should the neutral be a heavier gauge i.e. following Eichman's idea's with the Eichman formula. Also, how the earth wire effects things given that it is a connection to the general mass of earth, to neutral back at the transformer, to signal ground in the unit being powered etc. Also, what is actually flowing in the cable. I know it is said it is a 50 HZ sinusoidal waveform for voltage, but, it is far from that for current considering the action of rectifiers charging the power supply cap. What effect do the sharp turn ons and off have given these will have high frequency components. Many of these power cable threads have been full of information but I don't believe anyone has really spelt out just what the power cable really has going on in it. Fingers crossed here guys - this could go bad at any time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSmith Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share Posted February 23, 2017 2 minutes ago, WhakPak said: No interest from me, other than reading about the findings of any comparison. Sound like you have an interest? Maybe you're best in the other "blind" thread mate. JSmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhakPak Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 I read about lots of stuff that I have no, or very little interest in. Sometimes this leads to something interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSmith Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share Posted February 23, 2017 If proper results can be obtained here, SNA members could be the first to properly dissect and "solve" this issue. This would provide much traffic to SNA and if mentioned in other Audio publications, could give much kudos to SNA... just sayin'. The Audioholics publication mentioned above doesn't properly explain their assertions in a rigorous scientific method and may simply be based on their own experiences. The gauge of the cable certainly sounds like a good suggestion though... JSmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted February 23, 2017 Volunteer Share Posted February 23, 2017 10 minutes ago, JSmith said: If proper results can be obtained here, SNA members could be the first to properly dissect and "solve" this issue. This would provide much traffic to SNA and if mentioned in other Audio publications, could give much kudos to SNA... just sayin'. I hate to be a pessimist (realist), but nothing will ever be "solved" on this question. Neither side will even agree on what the question is, let alone listen to each other's answers 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soundwise Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 1 minute ago, Sir Sanders Zingmore said: I hate to be a pessimist (realist), but nothing will ever be "solved" on this question. Neither side will even agree on what the question is, let alone listen to each other's answers That's what I was trying to express but you've done a better job 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSmith Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share Posted February 23, 2017 7 minutes ago, Sir Sanders Zingmore said: but nothing will ever be "solved" on this question. I understand your position... but the post isn't overly helpful or positive TBH. JSmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted February 23, 2017 Volunteer Share Posted February 23, 2017 2 minutes ago, JSmith said: I understand your position... but the post isn't overly helpful or positive TBH. JSmith I'll give you that it may not be overly positive. I disagree about it not being helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSmith Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share Posted February 23, 2017 5 minutes ago, Sir Sanders Zingmore said: I'll give you that it may not be overly positive. I disagree about it not being helpful. Why don't you try and get involved and not worry about others? JSmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted February 23, 2017 Volunteer Share Posted February 23, 2017 1 minute ago, JSmith said: Why don't you try and get involved and not worry about others? JSmith I care too deeply about others Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tesla13BMW Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 This is like watching two dogs go round and round in circles as they sniff each others butt - funny to watch but no use at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted February 23, 2017 Volunteer Share Posted February 23, 2017 1 minute ago, tesla13BMW said: This is like watching two dogs go round and round in circles as they sniff each others butt - funny to watch but no use at all! You think it'll improve once we actually start talking about cables ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSmith Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share Posted February 23, 2017 Just now, Sir Sanders Zingmore said: You think it'll improve once we actually start talking about cables ? Mate, seriously... what are your intentions with these useless posts? JSmith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tesla13BMW Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 2 minutes ago, Sir Sanders Zingmore said: You think it'll improve once we actually start talking about cables ? I hope so at least initially if we can talk about the fundamentals of what a cable does prior to whether it makes any difference what cable you use. At that point it will go south very quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSmith Posted February 23, 2017 Author Share Posted February 23, 2017 56 minutes ago, tesla13BMW said: Perhaps if the technically inclined could spell out @Zaphod Beeblebrox, could you start the ball rolling with this question? Cheers, JSmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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